Title of project: Udall Center - Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease Research Position
The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the execution of experiments examining the effects of globus pallidus deep brain stimulation on motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease. These experiments are supported by a NIH P50 Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research grant to the University of Minnesota (https://udall.umn.edu). The position will involve: (1) the collection, processing and analysis of data acquired from quantitative motor tasks (gait, gait initiation, bradykinesia, rigidity, etc.) using motion capture, force plate, electromyography, and a variety of data acquisition systems and (2) application of biophysical models of deep brain stimulation to examine the pathways mediating treatment effects. The candidate must have a strong background in signal processing, data analyses (in both time and frequency domains) and programming (e.g. MatLab) and have experience with the collection of movement or imaging data in humans. Experience with biophysical modeling of deep brain stimulation is preferred, but not a requirement. The research position, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota career development training programs, will provide opportunities for mentorship in scientific writing and grantsmanship, outreach and communication.
Duties/Responsibilities
The postdoctoral position will be supervised and mentored by Dr. Colum MacKinnon, in the Department of Neurology (https://movementdisorderslab.umn.edu/). Duties and responsibilities include:
• Participate in the collection, processing and analyses of data acquired as part of multiple team-based research projects, with a primary focus on experiments for Project 2 of the Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research grant. (70%)
• Prepare and present data to study investigators periodically at laboratory or Udall Center meetings and journal clubs. (5%)
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, IRB submissions, and grants and authorship of conference papers, posters and journal articles. (15%)
• Mentor undergraduate students on research projects. (5%)
• Participate in career training/development programs. (5%)
This position could be at a minimum of a two year appointment with the possibility of extension.